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< Back Margarita Rosas Chief Financial Officer Margarita Rosas (she/her) serves as Chief Financial Officer. Reporting directly to the President, Margarita collaborates with the other members of the leadership team, as well as the Board of Directors, to support the financial goals of the organization managing a $17M budget. Margarita brings 20 years of experience in process improvement, systems design, project management, strategic financial planning, monitoring and evaluation, public finance & policy planning across various organizations at the local, national, and international level. Before joining Association House, Rosas served as the Director of Finance with New York Sun Works, driving financial functions and performance. In her five years, Rosas was instrumental in expanding the organization from 90 to over 400 school partners, impacting 120,000+ students annually. Born and raised in Colombia, Margarita has been an international consultant for the International Monetary Fund, deputy director for social investments with the Colombian national government, and Founder of New Life for Everyone, a foundation that supports educational opportunities for over 400 children in marginalized communities in Bogotá. Margarita holds a Master’s of Public Administration from Cornell University, a Master’s in Regional Planning with an emphasis in Local Economic Development, and a dual BA/BS in Business Administration and Economics, both from Universidad de Los Andes. As a Latina, an immigrant, and a mother of a child with disabilities, Margarita feels strongly connected to Association House’s mission for inclusion and creating opportunities for marginalized communities.

< Back Damaris Acevedo Director of Child Welfare Damaris currently oversees the Child Welfare Division, which provides quality services for more than 200 active family cases, including foster care, intact family services, and adoptions. She is a Licensed Social Worker with an Illinois Department of Children and Family Services license and is 402 & CCA certified. Since 2005, Damaris has worked in the Child Welfare Division and began her tenure as a foster care case manager. Damaris attended the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Jane Addams School of Social Work, where she received her Bachelors of Social Work; and received her MSW from Dominican University. Damaris also obtained her LCSW in 2019. Damaris is passionate about helping families, and her commitment is to ensure we treat every participant with dignity and respect regardless of what brought them to our program. She says her work is difficult but very rewarding.

Are you ready to start a new chapter in your life? Join our team of dedicated and diverse indivuals who strive to make lasting change in our communities. Careers Association House is rooted deep within our community and works day in and out to meet the needs of those living right down the block. Come and join our team today! See Open Positions Your Future Coworkers and Changemakers Life Skills on the Job: How Our Program Helps People With Disabilities Earn Their First Paychecks Today, we celebrate the possibilities within individuals living with cognitive disabilities at Association House. Jan 20 Your 2025 Annual Report is Here! Dear Friends, This year marks a defining moment in Association House’s 126-year long history. As we celebrate the completion of our 2023–2025 Strategic Plan, let us reflect on the journey that brought us here. Following the remarkable 27-year tenure of Harriet Sadauskas, I stepped into the role of CEO and President in 2021. During this time, our world was still navigating the lasting impacts of COVID-19. Still, we began drafting our new strategic roadmap. In an era marked b Jan 1 Digital Inclusion Week: Meet Our Tech Team! Learn more about our amazing technology staff, who create digital equity in our neighborhood every day! Oct 10, 2025 Diverse Teams & Competitive Benefits At Association House, we serve a diverse community of individuals, and our staff reflects that through our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Our team is built of talented and dedicated staff who choose to work here because of the difference they see in the community, and the support we offer back to them. Benefits DEI Commitment Open Positions Available Positions Select Division Reset Science Teacher – Association House High School View Job Full Time Residential Support Specialist – Dulcinea (On Call) View Job Part Time Counselor II – Visions View Job Full Time Community Support Specialist – CST View Job Full Time Residential Supervisor - Buena Vista (Residential CILA) View Job Full Time Building Trades Instructor View Job Full Time Career Navigator – IL Works Pre-Apprenticeship, Construction & Energy Trades View Job Full Time Solar PV Installation Training Facilitator View Job Full Time

We offer classes for education and economic improvement to help individuals stabilize their lives, build career confidence, and move towards self-sufficiency. Workforce Development Our Workforce Development programs offer classes for education and economic improvement. Our programs are designed to empower individuals to advance their knowledge and skills for employment. We adapt our programs to the needs of our community. We help with financial training, technology training, culinary training, and general employment. All our participants have access to support services to address barriers to success. Through these integrated programs, participants have the necessary tools to help stabilize their lives, build confidence in their careers, and move towards economic self-sufficiency. Association House Kitchen Association House Kitchen is a fast-paced, 8-week food preparation training and subsidized employment program. The program is designed to equip graduates for positions in restaurants, ghost kitchens, catering kitchens, and more. Learn More IL Works Construction Pre-Apprenticeship Program The IL Works Construction Pre-Apprenticeship Program provides hands-on training that prepares participants for entry into the construction and building trades. During the program, participants develop foundational skills needed to pursue apprenticeships and careers in the field. Learn More Meet Our Staff Get to know our Workforce Development staff. Learn more about their background, interests, and passion for this work. Collectively, we offer a wealth of knowledge and expertise from career mentorship to program development. Learn More Financial Careers Training Financial Careers Training prepares graduates for entry-level positions in local banks that pay living wages and offer opportunities for job advancement. The program builds on the skills and experience that participants already possess. Learn More Tech#Ready Tech#Ready is a digital training program that offers courses in Microsoft Office Suite (MOS). The trainings work with Word and Excel. The students receive one-on-one tutoring that allows them to bring those skills into their jobs. Learn More Referral Form Know someone who would benefit from one of our Workforce Development programs? Fill out this form and a member of our team will reach out shortly. Referral Form Clean Energy Jobs Clean Energy Jobs provides comprehensive training in construction and solar PV installation. After completing this program, graduates will have the skills needed to kickstart their careers in the field of renewable energy. Learn More NextJob NextJob is an online job search learning system that uses one-on-one job coaching and multimedia online learning to help people land jobs. The program incorporates video learning, the largest US job board, and mock interview tools. Learn More Success Stories How Jordan Powered Up His Future With Clean Energy Training With our Clean Energy job training program, Jordan found a way to break out of his professional slump. Mar 13 3 min read Association House Expands Workforce Pathways with Pre-Apprenticeship Model In the new year, we're optimizing our job training courses to land students in industry-recognized apprenticeships. Jan 22 2 min read Opportunity Over Incarceration With SC2: Ramsey's Turning Point After 30 years in the prison system, Ramsey discovered a passion that transformed his life through Association House's SC2 partnership. Jan 14 2 min read Partners & Funders

< Back Madeline Lavachek Deloitte

All students are matched with mentors who advocate for them, while cheering them on as they work to graduation. They are available whenever students may need. Mentoring & Support Services How We Help Every student at Association House is matched with a mentor. That mentor is their champion, advocate, and confidant as they work toward graduation. Most students see their mentor daily, and our mentors are always available for a check-in. Our mentoring programs offer different levels of support to meet the unique needs of our students. Academic Advising & Compass Mentoring The Academic Advisor meets with students regularly to ensure they are taking the classes they need to graduate. Compass mentoring provides students with a mentor to help motivate and assist them through their time at Association House High School. The mentor addresses how work, friends, and family could be impacting school and helps students create a plan to achieve personal and academic goals. Meet Your Mentor YES Mentoring Youth Experiencing Success (YES) offers wrap-around services to ensure that students are on track with their academic and employment goals while addressing barriers that may arise. Services include individual mentoring, group mentoring, family counseling referrals, advocacy at school and with outside agencies, health advocacy, career readiness, field trips, and post-secondary support. Meet Your Mentor RSP Mentoring Re-enrolled Student Project (RSP) focuses on getting students re-enrolled and supporting them to attain their high school diploma and continuing their studies at a college or place into a job. The program also represents and advocates for individual students by providing one-on-one support and counseling; helping with attendance problems and social issues; recommending methods for improving time management and goal setting skills. Meet Your Mentor YS3 Mentoring Youth Scholars, Skills and Service (YS3) is a collaborative program between Alternative Schools Network and the Department of Child and Family Services to provide programming and mentoring for Cook County youth in care between the ages of 15 and 21 who are looking to get their high school diploma. Specifically at AHHS, we work with our youth to provide wrap-around services that include mental health and employment. We have after school programming, monthly recreational field trips and paid incentives for youth participation in programming. Meet Your Mentor Post-secondary Mentoring Post secondary mentorship provides support to seniors in filling graduation requirements and supports all students and graduates in career and college exploration and planning. Meet Your Mentor Mr. P would text me asking me if I was going to school. He would stay late with me at school. I felt like I wasn't alone. - Alejandra, Class of 2021, Sadauskas Scholarship Winner IYIP Mentoring The Illinois Youth Investment Program (IYIP) helps young people ages 16–24 build the skills, confidence, and experience they need to succeed in the workplace and beyond. The program supports each participant as a whole person—addressing barriers to employment and focusing on their physical, emotional, social, and mental well-being. Whether you’re in school and looking for part-time work or out of school and ready for a full-time job, IYIP connects you with opportunities for employment, education, and career planning. By focusing on long-term success and self-sufficiency, the program empowers you to take meaningful steps toward your goals and future career. Meet Your Mentor Related Content Afterschool Programs Learn More Curriculum Learn More Family Literacy Program Learn More

Your construction career starts here! This pre-apprenticeship program provides hands-on training designed to build essential skills for entry into the construction and building trades. Through expert instruction and real-world experience, participants gain a strong foundation to pursue apprenticeships and long-term careers in these fields. IL Works Construction Pre-Apprenticeship Program How We Help Your construction career starts here! This pre-apprenticeship program provides hands-on training designed to build essential skills for entry into the construction and building trades. Through expert instruction and real-world experience, participants gain a strong foundation to pursue apprenticeships and long-term careers in these fields. Our Approach Ready to kickstart your career in construction? This pre-apprenticeship program will prepare you with the foundational skills needed to succeed in the construction and building trades. In the Construction Program, you will learn: Introduction to construction and trade career paths Proper use of hand and electrical tools Construction math and blueprint reading Worker safety and protection This program serves as a bridge from training to a long-term career in the the trades. During the program, graduates will earn industry-recognized credentials, including NCCER Core Construction, OSHA 10-Hour Construction, First Aid, and CPR certificates . Upon completing our Pre-Apprenticeship Program , you will be ready for Registered Apprenticeships or entry-level positions in the construction field. Eligibility Completion of all program enrollment forms Age 18+ Illinois resident High School Diploma/GED/HiSET Physical ability to perform activities related to construction work, including but not limited to: standing for long periods (sometimes on a sloped surface), bending, stooping, squatting, kneeling, twisting, working above the shoulders, working with manual and electric hand tools, repetitive motions, lifting and carrying up to 50lbs, working in direct sunlight, working with trip hazards, and working at heights Apply Now! Participants will receive tools, uniforms, equipment, childcare, a training stipend and transportation assistance while enrolled in this program. Current Class Schedule: Monday - Friday, 10am - 3pm Class Format: 8-weeks, In-Person Application Form "Our program includes skill-building and wraparound support to ensure that our students are ready for successful careers in the construction and building trades. - Fil Rios, Senior Director Community Health & Workforce Programs

Dulce is a bilingual mental health counselor with a Bachelor's in Psychology from Rutgers University and a Master's in Community Counseling from Argosy University. < Back Dulce Escano MA, QMHP As Clinical Assessor, Dulce provides intake and therapy services to adults, adolescents, and children in the Counseling program. She is a bilingual mental health counselor with a Bachelor's in Psychology from Rutgers University and a Master's in Community Counseling from Argosy University. Dulce has worked for more than a decade with multi-ethnic, multi-generational populations and individuals struggling with chronic mental illness, substance abuse disorders, and significant medical conditions.

We offer a variety of health education services, cost-free to participants, to address critical community health needs. Check out our workshop series today! Community Health Our Community Health programs address many of the chronic community health issues facing low-income populations in underserved Chicago neighborhoods. Surveys have found that prevalent issues include food insecurity, obesity, sexually transmitted infections, diabetes, heart disease, and mental health issues. We offer a variety of health education services, cost-free to participants, to address these critical community health needs. Affordable Housing In partnership with LUCHA, we are offering housing counseling, homebuyer workshops, and legal assistance to support you on your path to stable, secure housing. Learn More Health Education Healthy Lifestyles offers age-appropriate wellness workshops, education, and food demonstrations to build knowledge around a variety of health topics including cancer, diabetes, and mental health. Learn More Meet Our Staff Get to know our Community Health staff. Learn more about their background, interests, and passion for this work. Collectively, we offer a wealth of knowledge and expertise from educational tools to health aids. Learn More Mental Health First Aid Mental Health First Aid is a nationally recognized training that teaches participants how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness in their family, friends, community, and workplaces. Learn More Back 2 School Fair Held in August, the Back 2 School Health Fair promotes healthy activity and connects neighborhood families with school supplies, physicals, vaccines, and resources from our partner agencies. Learn More Energy Efficiency Connect with trusted energy efficiency programs that help lower your utility bills, improve home comfort, and make it easier to access savings and resources available in your community. Learn More Food Pantry Our in-house food pantry provides weekly food packets for participants and their families so they can focus on the programs they're enrolled in without worrying about their next meal. Learn More Success Stories Your 2025 Annual Report is Here! Dear Friends, This year marks a defining moment in Association House’s 126-year long history. As we celebrate the completion of our 2023–2025 Strategic Plan, let us reflect on the journey that brought us here. Following the remarkable 27-year tenure of Harriet Sadauskas, I stepped into the role of CEO and President in 2021. During this time, our world was still navigating the lasting impacts of COVID-19. Still, we began drafting our new strategic roadmap. In an era marked b Jan 1 2 min read Association House Teams Up with Community Partners to Reduce Violence Across Chicago How the House is working to reduce violence in our community through our partnership with SC2 Humboldt Park. Dec 29, 2025 2 min read This Year's Back 2 School Fair Reached Over 600 Kids and Families! A recap of one of our biggest celebrations of the summer! Aug 26, 2025 2 min read Partners & Funders

Helena’s the Chief Culture at Acero Schools of Chicago. She’s in charge of strategic initiatives, development, and more. < Back Helena C. Stangle Helena is the Chief Culture Officer at Acero Schools of Chicago. Here, she is charged with strategic initiatives, government affairs, communications, advocacy, marketing, scholar recruitment, and development. Helena spearheads transformation across Acero Schools and is a fierce advocate for educational access and opportunity. For more than 22 years, she has served as an education policy advocate in senior roles for legislators and in-state agency, corporate and non-profit settings. She is an alum of the University of Texas at Austin, where she majored in Government and Sociology and minored in Mexican-American Studies. Why I Serve? Helena has called Chicago’s Ukrainian Village and Humboldt Park communities’ home for more than 15 years. She believes in the transformative impact of education and is passionate about giving voice and space to the individuals we serve in big, small, and absolutely life-changing ways. She seeks to be a lifelong learner and believes service is core to this pursuit.

Nancy is the head of Talent at Adtalem Global Education, where she leads the enterprise-wide Talent Acquisition and Talent Development Teams. < Back Nancy Johnson Nancy is the head of Talent at Adtalem Global Education and leads the enterprise-wide Talent Acquisition and Talent Development Teams. Her team is responsible for all practices related to the recruitment and selection of top talent at all levels of the organization, executive assessments, investments in leadership and colleague professional development and efforts to create an engaging and effective organization culture aligned to the business growth strategy. Nancy also holds a BS in Business Management with a Minor in American Studies from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and an MBA from DePaul University in Chicago. Why I Serve? Nancy is passionate about helping others reach their full potential, regardless of their starting point and life’s challenges that may come their way. She loves her work at Association House, helping to uplift and support those with significant life’s challenges. Working with the “House” is a continued reminder to Nancy that we all are called to be our “brothers (and sisters) keepers.” She believes this work keeps her grounded and provides perspective on what is really important in life.

Paul practiced tax and corporate law in Chicago for 41 years. He joined the Board in the 1980s and served on every committee. < Back Paul T. Metzger Before retiring in 2017, Paul practiced tax and corporate law in Chicago for 41 years. He first became familiar with the House because his young family lived in Wicker Park near the House’s historic building at 2150 W. North Avenue. Paul joined the Board in the mid-1980s. During that long tenure, He has served on virtually every Board committee and held every office, including Chair. Why I Serve? Paul says that the needs of the people that Association House serves and the inspiring dedication of their staff to serving those needs, has always kept him motivated to continue working for the House.